Carrier-support for can-machines.



No, 814,442. PAT NTE R. 6, 1906,.

- .0. W. GRAHAM.

CARRIER SUPPORTFOE CAN MACHINES,

' APPLIOATIONTILED NOV.14, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

fig: 1.

v 1 56rasnsmw: A C @My No. 814 ,442. PATENTED MAR. 6, 1906.

C. W. GRAHAM. CARRIER SUPPORT FOR GA N MAGHINESJ.

' APPLIGATIQN FILED NOV.14,1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET z.

UNIT D;- s *rn rns earner ora ion.

cH RiJEs w. GRAHAM, or ROME, NEWYORK, ASSIGNOR To UTICA INDUSTRIAL COMPANY. or HOME, NEW YORK, coaPoeATioN.

" or NEW YORK. 1 e

CARRIER-SUPPQRT eoecanrrncemes.

residing'at Rome, in the county of Oneida and State-of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements iii-Carrier- Supports for Candvlachines, of which'thelfoh lowing isa full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilledin the art to This invention relates to means for supporting the carrier or can guide of a can v of the same.

making machine. One of the obj ects. thereof -is to provide means of supporting a member in suchmanner as to permit the passage of an article between said member and said supporting means.

Another object is to provide means of the above type in which power is economized and friction substantiall eliminated.

Other objects wil bein part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter. I

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will! be exemplified in the mechanism hereinafter set forth andthe scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims at the end of this description.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown one of variouspossible embodiments of my'invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation Fig. 2 .is a plan of the same. Fig. 3 is an end. elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of certain parts shownin Fig. 1, the same appearing. in a slightly difl'erent posi-- tion. Fig. 5 is a similarwiew showingthe parts at a later stage. F igi 6-is an end view of a cam. Fig. 7 is a side elevationof-the same. .Fig. 8 is'adetail'perspective of a slide used in the above'embodiment. j

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In order to render clearer the general na ture of my invention, itmay here be noted that it is in some cases desirable firmly. to support the end of a member and yet provide a free passage between this member and the supporting means. i This is particularly truein case the article to pass between these parts entirely surrounds the former, as in'the case of can-bodies upon a carrier in certain I pecification ofLetters Patent.

p ture of'that hereinafter described. which it appertains to make and use the same;

" rammed Marchfi, 1906.

14.1904. Serial 1%. 232,577.

forms ofcan-making machinery. It is also highly desirable to provide means of this type" which. shall permit a readypassage of the can- 5 5 body or other article in such manner as not to; Y injure the surface thereof.

The above and other advantageous fea.

tures are attained in constructions of the na- Referring now to Fig 1 of the drawings, there is shown at 1 a supporting member or carrier, along which a succession of canbodies are adapted to travel. Positioned adjacent carrier 1 and preferably below the same is a driving-shaftQ, having fixed thereon a spiral gear 3, coacting with a similar gear 4 upon the vertical shaft 5. At the up.. per end of shaft 5 are sprocket-wheels 6 and 7,

upon the former of which is mounted a sprocket-chain 8, having outwardly-projectingarrns 9 affixed thereto or formed thereon. These arms are adapted to engage the rear :edge of the can-bodies and force the same in the direction indicated by the arrowin Fig. 2, 7 5 carrier 1 being so formed as to permit the arms to extend beyond the edge of the can. Sprocket 7, which'is of the-greater size, being preferably twice the diameter of sprocket 6, supports a sprocket-chain 10in aposition adjacent the end portion of the carrier. Chain 10bears outwardly-projecting arms 11. similar in character and function to arms 9, above described, but different in thattheir rate of travel is considerably'greater, due-to the larger size of sprocket 7. w Y

Driving-shaft 2 has fixed thereon cams 12 and 13 each being provided with {a camgroove 14 of substantially the form shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. in engagement with cams 12 and 13, as by Respectively .held

means of collars 15: are slides 16 andli, each 1 provided with a slot 18, through which shaft .2 passes, and a pin or roller 19, adapted to fit into the cam-groove of the coactingcam. Secured to the upper ends of slides 16 and 17 are rods 20 and *21, respectively terminating .at' their upper ends in supports or cradles 22 and 23, adapted to engage and support the free end of carr er '1. It may here be noted that by the term engagement as used "throughout'the following claims is meant such relative position of the support and supported member that the support IS in operative position and bearing a considerable portion of the weight of the supported member.

The operation of the above-described em- '5 bodiment of my invention is as follows: Assuming a succession of can-bodies to be propelled along the carrier, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, it will be seen that upon these bodies reaching a point substantially opposite the shaft 5 the speed thereof will be materially increased, and in the case of the embodiment shown it will be doubled. The cams 12 and 13 are fixed up'on' shaft 2 at an angular dis r5 hundred ancii i hty degrees with reference one to another,an the grooves 14 are so formed as to hold each of the slidesl 6 and 17 in their uppermost position during at least'one-half of a revolution of shaft 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the can 24 is about to be thrown from the end of the carrier, whereas the rear edge of can 25 has just assed the shaft 5 and is moving at an acce erated speed due to the en- .gagement therewith of the arms 11 upon the chain 10. As can 25 approaches the supporting-cradle 22 the same is withdrawn by means of cam 12, so as to permit a free passa e 'therebetween, the cam 13 meanwhile firm y supporting the carrier by means, of holding cradle 23.1n itsup'pe'rmost- 'osition. During the next half-revolution o the driving-shaft '2 the can 24" is thrown from the end of the carrier and can 25 is ropelled past thesupporting-cradle 22 and the latter raised into 5. .sup ort'ing position." Thiscondition of the mec anism 1s Indicated-in Fig. 4of the draw;;

- in'gs. Upon the cradle 22 reaching its up ermost position and engaging the lower sur ace of carrier-1 the cradle 23 is immediately depressed-by cam 1-3, thus permitting the'continuous passage of can 25 to the end of the carrier. 1 This. position is shown in Fig.5 of

the drawings, in which a. complete revo ution of revolvin shaft-Zhas taken place with ref erence to t e position shown in Fig. 1, .and.

can-bod 125 has now reached-the position occupie by'can-body-24, as shown in that figure. In order to insure the complete passage of the supportinggmeans; bythe can-- body before the following can-body 26:11518 been brought opposite the same", the parts H v cific features -of. the invention herein"de are preferably so proportioned'as. to propel v the can-bodies driven by chain 8"throughout the length of onegcan andthe intervening."

space between the' cans, during one revolution of the driving-shaft, and conse uen'tlytg force those-driven by chain 10 t jroughout' Substantially. twice that distance. In thismanner by positioning t'hejcradles' at a dis- 6o tance apart equalfto that of" the-spaces between t r p canupon reaching the suportingmeans will ;be so accelerated in s eed both supporting-crad es 22-and '23 before the lacement of substantially one the language used in the following claims is combination, a supporting member, .8..pl1lfi' e bodies-shown at the left of-Fig. 1a rality of supports for thesame, and meansas entlrely to pass:

following body has reached the first of the same.

It may here be. noted that although only two supporting members, which are alternately in supporting and depressed position, are herein shown, nevertheless any desired number may be used, it being essential only thatieach supporting member is automatically depressed as a can-body is passed between the same and the carrier. It may also here be noted that although rigid and sub. stantially-vertical supporting members are herein shown, nevertheless the carrier may be held bysupporting means extending in any .desire direction. There are certain advantages, however, peculiar to the form of sup-- porting means herein specifically described.

It will thus be seen that I have provided .means for supporting the free end of a memher in such manner as rigidly-to hold the same in its-proper position at all times and 8 5 yet permita ready passage between this member and the supporting means; It will also be seen that in themechanism herein described theresis no objectionable friction and waste of power which would be attendant 0 upon forcmg an article between the carrier and a fixed supporting member even though rol'lers were employed onthe-latter. Moreover, with the mechanism herein shown there is no likelihood of scratching or deforming 5 the can-bodies by contact with the supporting member. It willalso be noted that the carrier is always firmly supported and yet is never crowded out of alinement, as by means of forcing an article between the same and a fixed ri id support. The construct-ion of the hereinescribed embodiment of my inven-- tion, mo'reoverfis simple and durable and the action thereof positive. i As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently I widely different embodiments of my invention could be made without departing fromthe scope thereof, I 'intendthat all matter contained in the above description or shown no in the accompanying drawings shall be inter- -preted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I desire it also to be understood that intended to cover all of the generic and spe aving thus described my invention, what me ",I claim as new, and desire to secure by; Let

ters Patent, is

1. In a'machine of the class described,-in-

. ls adapted to withdraw'sa1d supports from en- -gagernent therewith said means being adaptedto maintain" one of said supports at all member;

times in engagement with said supporting 2. "Infa machine of the. class described, in

combination, a supportingmember, two supports for the same, and means adapted alternately to withdraw said supports fromenf gagem'ent therewith said means being adaptiment therewith.

nately to withdraw-said supports'from engage- 4.111 a machine combination, a supporting-member, two'supports adapted to engage t jejsame, and means adapted alternately-to withdraw and replace drawal of the other thereof;

5; In a maohine'of the. class described, in

combination, means adapted. to support and guide a can-*body, a plurality-of members adapted to suppbrt thefend' thereof, means adapted'to propel-said can-body along said first-mentioned means, and means adapted consecutively to withdraw saidsupports from engagement therewith 'upon said can-bodies reaching a position opposite to the same.

6. In a machine of the class described, in

combination, means adapted to support and guide a can-body,'-'afplurality of members adapted to support the end thereof, means adapted to propel said can-body along said first-mentioned means ,1 and positively-acting means adapted consecutively to withdraw said supporting members upon said can-body reaching a'position opposite the same.

7Q In a machine of the class described, in combination, means adapted to support and guide a can-body, ja plurality of members adapted tosupport the end thereof, means adapted to propel said can body along said first-mentioned means, and positively-acting means adapted consecutively to withdraw said supporting members upon said can-body reaching a position opposite the same, said propelling means and withdrawing means being driven'from a single sourceof power.

.8; In a'machine of the class described, in combination, a horizontal supporting member, two vertical supports for the same, and means adapted alternately to withdraw said supports from en agement therewith the end of said horizonta supporting member adjacent said vertical supports being free from .'er1gagement with fixed supporting means at 6o i all times, i v

9, In a machine of the class descrlbed, in

. combination,a-horizontal member adapted V to support and guide a' can-body, a plurality of members adapted to support the end thereof, means adapted to propel the can-body 6f thd fclass described, "in...

along said first mentioned member, and

means adapted consecutively to withdraw said second menti'onedlmembers from opsition oppositethereto.

erative position-upon said can reaching a po- 10. In a machine of combination, a supporting member, a driving-shaft,a plurality of members extending tivelyacting cams upon said driving-shaft the class described, in

from said driving-shaft and adapted to sup- .port the end of said firstementioned member, and a plurality of singularly-displaced posihaving a connection with said second-men- .tioned members and adapted consecutively to withdraw the same from engagement'with said first mentioned member said cams bein adapted to maintain at all times one of'said second-mentioned members in engagement. with said first-mentioned member. 7

said supports said means being adapted to replace each of said supports before each with- 111. In amachine of the class described, in

combination, a memberadapted to support and guide a can-body, means adapted to propel the can-body upon the same, a plurality of supporting members adapted to support the end of said first-mentioned means, and a plurality of cams angularly displaced with reference one to another adapted consecutively to withdraw said supporting members upon said cans reaching a position opposite thereto.

12. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a carrier, means adapted to pro el a can-body along the same, -a drivingsha t, two supporting members extending from said driving-shaft and adapted to support the end of said carrier, and cams upon ,said shaft having an an ular displacement with reference one to anot er and adapted alternately to withdraw said supports from engagement with the end of said carrier.

13. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a carrier, means adapted to propel a. can-body along the same, a driving shaft, two supporting members extending from said drivingshaft and adapted to sup port the end of said carrier, and cams upon said shaft having an angular displacement with reference one to another and adapted alternately to withdraw said supports from engagement with the end of said carrier upon said cans reaching a point substantially opposite thereto.

V 14, In a machine of the class described, in combination, a supporting member, means adapted to support one 'end thereof, and means adapted to propel a can-body along said supporting member at a uniform rate of speed throughout a portion thereof and at a greater rate of speed throughout another portion thereof, said second-mentioned portion including that opposite said supporting means. I

15, In a machine of the class described, in

combination, a carrier, means adapted to support one end thereof, a chain adapted to'proportion thereof, and a'cham adapted-to pro posite said supporting members.

' form rate of speed throughout a portion therethe portion of said carrier opposite said supcluding that opposite saidsupporting members.

throughout another portion thereof, said-sec? g sieaiea pel a can-body along said carrier at a uni-' of, and a second chain adapted to propel the same at agreater rate of speed throughout another portion thereof, said se.cond-men'-- tioned portion including that o posite said supporting means andsaid 0 wins being driven from a common source of power.

16. In a machine of the class described, in, combination, a carrier, means adapted to support one end thereof, a shaft, two s rockets of different diameters fixed upon sa1d shaft, a sprocket-chain upon the larger of said sprockets .running substantially parallel with porting means, a sprocket-chain upon the smaller of said sprockets running substantially parallel to the remainder of said carrier, and arms upon said sprocket-chains adapted to engage'and propel canbodies uponsaid carrier. I

17. In a machine of the class described, in. combination, a supporting member, a 'plu-, rality of supports for the same, means adapt ed consecutlvely to withdraw said supports from engagement therewith, and .means adapted to propel a can-body along-said sup.- porting member ,at a uniform rate of speed throughout a portion thereof and at a greater rate of speed throughout another. portion thereof, said second mentioned portion in- 18. In a machine of the class described, in combination, acarrier, a plurality of supportin members adapted to support one end 1 thereo means adapted consecutively to withdraw saidsupporting members from en-,, gagement therewith, a chainaglapted topro pel a can-body along said supporting mem-i. er at a uniform rate of speedthroughouta pel said can-body at a greaterfrate. o fz spe'e'd;

ond-mentioned portion including that 'oppo,,.-. site said supporting members. i

19. In a machine of the class describedyin combination, a carrier, two supporting members adapted to support the end .thereof,, means adapted alternately towitlidraw' and replace sa1d supporting members, a chain adapted to prope a can-body along said carrier at a uniform rate of speed throughout a portion thereof, and a chain adapted to propel said can body along the remainder of said carrier at a greater rate of speed,. said second-mentioned portion including that "op- 20. In a machine of the class described, in i combination, a horizontal carrier, a pair of supporting members adapted to support one end thereof, positively acting means adapted alternately to withdraw 'saidsu portlng members from engagement with sai carrier," a propelling-chain adapted to drive said canbodies at a uniform speed throughout a portion of the length of said carrier, and a chain power. I l

.21. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a carrier, a plurality of supportin members adapted tosupport one end thereo a driving-shaft, a plurality of cams fixed upenjsaid driving-shaft and having an angular ulsplacement with reference one-to another, a connection between'said cams and said supporting members whereby said cams are adapted v-to-.- withdraw' said supportmg .members' consecutively from engagement with said carri er,""a sprocket-chain adapted .22. In a machine of the class described, in

thereof,'a drivin -shaft, a plurality of cams fixed-upon said riving-shaft and having an.

angular displacement with reference one to another, a connection between said cams and sa1d supporting members whereby sa1d cams are adapted to withdraw said supporting .members consecutively from ..engagement ffwith said carrier, a-sprocket-chainadapted to propel acan-body along said carrier at a uniform. rate of speed throughoutia portion." thereof, and. a second chai'nadapted to'propel said can-body at-a greater rate of speed thro' ughou t another portion of said carrier, .sa'idgsecond-mentioned portion including haligo posite said'supportin members and saidip ains .being driven. rom sprocket adapted to propel said can-bodies at a greater speed throughout. another portion of said carrier, said second-mentioned portion including that opposite" said supporting members .and said chains and said supporting members being driven from a common source of .to'pro'pel a can-body along said. carrier at a eunifor'm rate 'of speed throughout a portion ."thereof, and a second chain adapted to profpel said can-body at a greater rate of speed ithroughout another'portion of said carrier, saidsecond mentioned portion including that opposite said supporting members.

wheelsof different diameters fixed upon a single shaft.

:23. Ina machine of the class described,'i n combination, a horizontal carrier, apair of supporting members adapted to support the end thereof, a driving-shaft,'a' pair. of cams upon said drivin shaft having, an "angular displacement with r and connected respectively tosaid support:

ing members,- said cams being adaptedal'ter- .nat'ely to withdraw and replace said support -ing' members from engagement :with saidfizarrrer, a second shaft, a connection whereby said second shaft is driven fromsaid drivingshaft, .apairof sprockets of different diameters'uponsaid second shaft, a sp ocket-chain upon the smaller of said sproclfets'extend ing substantially parallel to "said carrier and adapted to propel a can-{body therereference 0116 to another on throughout a portion of its length, and In testimony whereof I aflix signature a sprocket-chain upon the larger of said in the presenceof two Witnesses.

sprocket-Wheels adapted to propel said canbody thereon throughout another portion 7 CHARLES A of said carrier, said second-mentioned p0r- Witnesses:

tion including that opposite said supporting, W. 0. FORD, -n1eans. 1 ED. H. CARTER. 

